Client Confidentiality
At The Cabin Chiang Mai, client anonymity and privacy are a top priority. We’re well aware that many parts of the world still do not see addiction as the legitimate, chronic disease that it is, similar to any other chronic illness that requires professional treatment and ongoing care to keep the disease at bay.
Hence we operate under a strict confidentiality code in accordance with international standards – and we take additional measures on top of those standards. To begin with, our premises are un-signposted to keep the centre as anonymous as possible. All of our client-service staff are required to sign a non-disclosure contract upon employment – including our clinical and medical staff who are already bound by the ethical codes of their profession. Even our clients must sign a confidentiality contract with The Cabin upon arrival, which prevents them from revealing information about other clients in treatment at all times.
Clients are also not allowed to take photographs on the centre grounds – especially photographs of other clients. They are also not permitted to post any type of information about other clients on their social media accounts under any circumstances.
All medical records, both oral and written, are kept in confidence, according to standards set down in UK and US Legislation.
The Cabin is an organisation whose principal concern is the health of clients. With this in mind, our policy is designed to provide the highest possible level of trust between clients and staff. Any information given to staff by a client is never passed on to other clients. However, clients should note that any disclosure to a member of the clinical team may be handed over to another member of the team, to provide clients with continuity of care through a holistic approach.
There are a few important exceptions to when clinical staff may be required to break confidentiality:
- If ordered by a court
- If a client appears to have a serious intention to harm himself or another
- If a client breaks the ground rules around drugs and alcohol (in this instance other residents would be informed of that client’s relapse)
- If a client discloses any information about the ongoing abuse of a minor